Easy Cheese Danish
Creamy, tangy, and irresistibly flaky, this Easy Cheese Danish is the perfect indulgence for breakfast, brunch, or anytime you need a sweet, comforting pick-me-up.
Servings: 12 servings
Equipment
- Baking Sheets
- Mixing Bowl
- Plastic Wrap
Ingredients
Danish Ingredients
- 12 pieces Rhodes Dinner Rolls thawed but still cold
- 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar for sprinkling and a little sweetness
- 2 tablespoons Butter melted, for brushing
- 4 ounces Cream Cheese softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar for the cream cheese filling
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice fresh is best, for brightness in the filling
- 1 large Egg beaten, for egg wash
- 12 tablespoons Lemon Curd and/or Raspberry Preserves about 1 tablespoon per roll
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar for icing
- 4-5 tablespoons Milk for icing; adjust to desired drizzling consistency
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract for icing
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Lightly flour your hands and flatten each thawed dinner roll into a 3-inch disc. Place the flattened discs on two baking sheets lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each.
- Butter and Sugar: Brush each disc lightly with melted butter, then sprinkle each with a pinch of granulated sugar. Cover the sheets loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the rolls rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 50 minutes.
- Make the Filling: In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed; set aside.
- Preheat Oven: When the rolls have risen, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Position an oven rack in the center.
- Fill the Rolls: Gently press an indentation into the center of each risen roll with your thumb or the back of a spoon. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into each indentation, then top with about 1 teaspoon of lemon curd or raspberry preserves.
- Egg Wash & Bake: Brush the outer edges of each roll with the beaten egg to achieve a nice golden color during baking. Bake the filled rolls for 15–20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the filling is set.
- Cool & Ice: Let the danishes cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 4–5 tablespoons milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and drizzleable. Adjust milk to reach a thick but pourable consistency.
- Serve & Enjoy: Drizzle the icing over the warm or room-temperature danishes. Serve immediately or store for later.
Notes
These Easy Cheese Danish are proof that simple shortcuts can yield bakery-worthy results — creamy, bright, and perfect for sharing.